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← The Liner Notes
The Year in Music

1981

The songs, the screens, the headlines

Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes — cover art

1981 in music: “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes topped the year-end chart; John Lennon owned the airwaves.

The sound of 1981

Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes — cover art
Bette Davis Eyes
Kim Carnes
1981
Endless Love by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross — cover art
Endless Love
Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
1981
Lady by Kenny Rogers — cover art
Lady
Kenny Rogers
1980
(Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon — cover art
(Just Like) Starting Over
John Lennon
1981
Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield — cover art
Jessie's Girl
Rick Springfield
1981
Celebration by Kool & The Gang — cover art
Celebration
Kool & The Gang
1980
Kiss On My List by Daryl Hall & John Oates — cover art
Kiss On My List
Daryl Hall & John Oates
1980
I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt — cover art
I Love a Rainy Night
Eddie Rabbitt
1980
9 to 5 by Dolly Parton — cover art
9 to 5
Dolly Parton
1980
Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon — cover art
Keep On Loving You
REO Speedwagon
1981
Theme from the Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not) [feat. Joey Scarbury & Larry Carlton] by Mike Post — cover art
Theme from the Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not) [feat. Joey Scarbury & Larry Carlton]
Mike Post
1982
Morning Train (Nine to Five) by Sheena Easton — cover art
Morning Train (Nine to Five)
Sheena Easton
1981

At the movies

  • Raiders of the Lost Ark
  • Stripes
  • On Golden Pond

On TV

  • Hill Street Blues
  • Dynasty
  • The Greatest American Hero

Headlines

  • MTV launches August 1
  • IBM releases the first PC
  • Space Shuttle Columbia's first flight
The full 1981 page →The 80s →
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